When folks join the
Emmanuel family, Chris asks if we promise to be Church to them.  He goes on to clarify what that means – “to help celebrate joys that cannot be contained and to share burdens that are too heavy to carry alone.”
   Through the years, you have helped us celebrate countless joys.  But this year, our family’s burdens were too heavy to carry alone.  From Marcus’ diagnosis at Easter to his death during Advent, and now as we walk the path of grief and adjustment, your presence has sustained us.
   The pain of watching our vibrant, gregarious son-in-law undergo months of difficult treatment for pancreatic cancer; of seeing our beautiful daughter laden with sadness and taxed with multiple layers of stress; of observing our precious grandchildren as the safe cocoon of their nuclear family-of-four seemed to unravel… all this was simply too heavy to carry by ourselves. 
   And I’ll admit to asking at points along the way, “Where is God in all of this?” But without fail, each questioning moment would soon be met with a caring comment, an assurance of prayers, a note, a hug or a smile offered by one of you.
   Jerry and I have truly seen the face of God in you remarkable people who were willing to enter into our sorrow. 
   We were amazed and upheld by the presence of so many of you at the memorial service and by the way Chris captured Marcus’ life and our hope in his profound message. 
   We still find comfort and support in all your cards and sympathetic words. 
   In many ways Rachel, Elliot and Zoë are just beginning the difficult journey toward their new “normal.” We ask your continued prayers for their peace and healing. 
   Through it all, we thank God for his constant faithfulness, and we thank you for helping to carry our burdens. 
   In the grace of Christ our Savior, may we continue to be Church to one another.